Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses:
HB 194: Farias / Ratliff / Menendez / Guerra
Will place SDVOBs as “economically disadvantaged” which will allow SDVOBs to compete for State contracts in the same category as HUBs (Historically Underutilized Businesses: race, gender, and ethnicities) if their VA rated disability is 20% or greater. The bill was voted out of the House Defense Affairs Committee favorably without amendments on 3/28/13. HB 194 passed with amendments from the House on 5/8/13, passed the Senate on 5/22/13. 5/27/13: HB 194 was signed in the House and the Senate, and was signed by Governor Perry on 6/14/13. The bill becomes effective 1 September 2013.
The passage of HB 194, which will allow Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses to compete for State contracts in the same category as HUBs (Historically Underutilized Businesses: based on race, gender and ethnicity) was a major victory was. This is the 4th Legislative Session (and the 8th year) that the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations has been advocating for passage of this bill. Full credit goes to the Texas grassroots veterans who answered the call repeatedly to contact their State Representative or Senator in support of SDVOB legislation. Jim Brennan, TCVO Research/Resource Director took up residence at the State Capitol working the halls, the offices, and the phones of key House and Senate legislators to educate them on the benefits of HB 194, and to answer their questions, to ensure passage of this important piece of legislation. This was a true team effort. Without the support of our grassroots veterans, no veteran-related legislation would have passed.